Former Inter Milan and Lazio defender Daniele Adani has labelled Samuel Chukwueze as AC Milan’s best player in the two Europa League games against AS Roma, Soccernet.ng reports.
AS Roma sent Milan packing out of the Europa League after claiming a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Chukwueze featured for only the last 12 minutes as Milan stumbled to a disappointing 1-0 loss in the first leg at the San Siro.
In that short time, the Nigerian winger still made the biggest impact, creating one big chance that French forward Olivier Giroud wasted. Chukwueze also made two key passes, completed three of five dribbles, and won half of his six duels.
Following his excellent display in that encounter and Milan’s exciting 3-3 draw with Sassuolo, Chukwueze was expected to be named in the starting lineup for the return fixture in Roma.
However, Milan boss Stefano Pioli again preferred a front three of Rafael Leão, Christian Pulišić, and Giroud.
Still, Roma scored twice in the opening 22 minutes, and despite being reduced to ten men after just 30 minutes, they held on till the 85th minute when Milan grabbed their consolation goal.
Chukwueze was introduced at halftime, and he took the next 45 minutes to grab one shot on target, attempt five dribbles while completing three, win four of six duels, and complete three of four long passes.
While Chukwueze could not help Milan avoid the loss, Adani is convinced that he showed better quality than all who started ahead of him in the Rossoneri eleven.
“The Milan players didn’t play a good game,” Adani said, as per Milan News.
“In terms of effort, they gave everything, but they didn’t do anything good. Roma did well from all points of view. Even with ten men, they had chances.
“If in the two games the best on the pitch was Chukwueze, who only came on in the second half in both games, and Pulisic, Giroud, Leao, Loftus-Cheek, and Theo gave these performances, Milan cannot think of beating this Roma. Milan missed the big players.”
Chukwueze’s numbers have not been great this season, admittedly. The former Villarreal CF star has registered only three goals and two assists in 29 games across all competitions for Milan.
He joined the San Siro giants for €20 million in July.